Rainell "Rainy"
Naha was born in 1949 into the Spider/Stick clan as the daughter
of Helen Naha (Feather Woman) and the grand-daughter of Paqua
Naha (the original Frog Woman). Her siblings include Sylvia Naha
Humpheries (d.) and Burell Naha.
Of all Naha family decendents,
Rainy is perhaps the most prolific in her perpetuation of the
pottery tradition. Having won numerous awards, including blue
ribbons at the prestigious Santa Fe Indian Market, the Eight
Northern Indian Art Show, and the Annual Heard Museum Show, it
is easy to see how such meticulous detail and innovative design
has taken Rainy's work to the top.
Rainy has been an active potter
for more than thirty years, and very active during the last ten.
She was taught by her mother, and signs all of her work with
her mother's hallmark feather, along with her name, "Rainy."
Thin walled vessels in both
traditional and contemporary shapes are the basis for her work.
The designs painted onto the vessels often incorporate her mother's
work, such as the Awatovi Star or bat wing patterns.
Her work is primarily Hopi
clay with a white slip applied before the polychrome designs,
sometimes known as Walpi Polychrome. All of her pieces are made
using traditional clay, paints, and methods of forming and firing.
Occasionally Rainy will make a piece reminiscent of her mother's
work.
Hummingbirds and parrots,
bear paws and clouds are Rainy's additions to her family's designs.
In addition to her imagery, Rainy has also added more clay slips
to her work with the pieces often having up to five different
colors.
In this Rainy shows produces
a motif attributed to her mother's wedding vase designs - in
honor of her great and lasting contribution to the future and
history of Hopi-Tewa pottery.
